The priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU were presented in the BCCI

The traditional Euroclub meeting took place at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event was on the occasion of Spain taking over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 July 2023. The program included three discussion topics: results achieved during the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2023, priorities of the Spanish Presidency of Council of the EU, economic development of Bulgaria in a period of challenges.

 

Tsvetan Simeonov, Preisdent of the BCCI emphasized the remarkable results of the Swedish presidency. More than 300 decisions were taken, 44 different approved texts were signed, more than 2,300 formal meetings were held in Brussels and Luxembourg and 144 informal meetings in Sweden, with around 13,000 participants. The Swedish Presidency has represented the Council in 49 different discussions within the plenary sessions of the European Parliament. 43 press conferences were held.

 

The Deputy Minister of Economy Irina Shtonova took part in the event and emphasized that the Bulgarian industry is in second place in terms of growth in the EU. She presented facts from the development of the Bulgarian economy in a period of challenges. The European economy, including the bulgarian one, encountered difficulties after the start of the war in Ukraine, but our foreign trade grew by 37 percent, with European countries being our main trading partners, explained Shtonova. She pointed out that Bulgaria has a positive trade balance of 7.7 million euros. It is expected that 1.8 billion euros will be invested in our country by the end of the current year. It was emphasized that Bulgaria is becoming more and more attractive for foreign investors and the government hopes that the country will continue to foster investment interest. The construction of industrial zones is planned in order to provide better conditions for investors and local companies. A priority of the Ministry of Economy and Industry is to expand trade with foreign markets, and will support the strategic priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which began on July 1, 2023, Shtonova declared.

 

The participants in the meeting - ambassadors, politicians, entrepreneurs and journalists - got acquainted with the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Jaione Cereijo, deputy head of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in our country, said that Spain will be at the head of the Council of the EU for the fifth time. The country has been preparing for this presidency for more than 2 years. Cereijo emphasized that the priority of the presidency will be the construction of a flexible program for responding to possible crises. She also explained in detail the priority lines - promoting the re-industrialization of Europe, transition strengthening European unity. Lower electricity bills in the EU and green energy production are among the top priorities.

 

Cereijo said that just like its predecessor - Sweden, Spain will continue to support Ukraine, the countries of the Western Balkans on their European path, as well as promote cooperation with EU partners south of the Mediterranean Sea. She shared that many events are coming up with partners from these regions, as well as the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean region.

 

Tsvetan Simeonov handed over a letter in favor of the EU-Mercosur agreement, sent on behalf of 19 European business organizations, including Eurochambers, to the European institutions. In the document, the representatives of the European economy insist on speeding up the finalization of the agreement. It is key to maintain the competitiveness of the EU and will provide an opportunity to diversify the markets for European goods, expanding the portfolio of suppliers of important industrial raw materials.

 

The diplomats, entrepreneurs and journalists present discussed the possibilities for successful development of the EU and the neighboring regions in economic and social aspect with the aim of promoting investments and reducing migration.

13.07.2023